facilities for acquiring a knowledge of the various sciences which are useful in their pursuits, this meeting requests that the Committee will provide means of instruction for Birmingham and the neighbourhood for the Assistants and Apprentices." This resolution (he said) appears to me to be one of very great importance. We have heard a great deal about the improvement of the education of our young men, and we seem all agreed, that the sooner we set about it the better. The next question is, therefore, "How shall we proceed ?" When we talk to our young men about the necessity of acquiring a knowledge of the science of Chemistry in addition to being good counter Druggists, we must show them some way in which they may acquire that knowledge, as we all know that the incessant nature of their duties, under ordinary circumstances, renders it quite impossible that they can be good Chemists. There are some of us who, in early life, made experimental Chemistry a recreation, and are, therefore, Chemists by accident, but it is not of this class I speak. I speak of those who, engaged from morning to night in the routine of the drug trade, have scarcely an hour which they can devote to improvement in the higher departments of their business. If our young men are to be clever Chemists and good Druggists, we must put in their way some means by which they may acquire the necessary knowledge. A few of us have been considering this matter over, and we have a small society in Birmingham, which we have been carrying on for the purpose of supplying our young men with that experimental knowledge which we are unable to give them at home. Now that the railways are opened in all directions, it has been suggested that we should reinforce our Society, and if we cannot make it a first-class school, yet Birmingham being a central point, we may do much good in exciting a desire for experimental research in the minds of the young men of the town and district. Last session the lectures were of a very useful and instructive character. It seems to me we ought to keep our eyes steadily fixed on that little society, and this resolution directs the Committee to encourage it for the purpose of giving Assistants and Apprentices the aid they need in the acquirement of scientific knowledge. I look on the matter as one of great importance, for if we talk to our Apprentices about education, and give them no means of becoming educated, it is something like telling a man to run, and tying his legs. Mr. ADKINS seconded the resolution. * Mr. Buck said, that on a former occasion he had been asked to join the Society, but did not do so, as he could not see what advantage those residing in the country would derive from it. Now, however, he should be very glad to become a Member. Mr. BELL: Seeing that education is the most important of all our proceedings, I trust every one will exert himself to promote the object of this resolution. I have been told, however, that this room has been sold for some other purpose, and I was sorry to hear it, as if such a building as this were shared by several societies, I cannot conceive how there could be the slightest difficulty in maintaining it in such a place as Birmingham. I could not conceive how it was that such an Institution as the Philosophical should be in a state of destitution, unless it were that there were so many other scientific institutions in Birmingham, that this was one too many. But I am told that this is the only one! See what Manchester has done in providing a library for the working classes. Similar movements are in progress in London, and in other places, and why should Birmingham be at this moment selling up its last scientific institution because it has not the pluck or the stamina to keep it on its legs? Why should not the Chemists come forward and contribute something towards the expenses of it, and see whether Birmingham is not large enough, and rich enough, and spirited enough, to keep one scientific institution, for the sake of the character of the town, where learning may be cultivated, and where the public may be taught to keep pace with the education proceeding in other parts of the country? Why should Birmingham be behind? You have had a capital meeting to-day, and just imagine what excellent meetings you could have in the evening, with perhaps twenty or thirty medical men coming to join in your discussions. There would be something in that which would give a stimulus to science, and would give young men an interest in it, for every proceeding of that kind has a good effect. The Members and Associates would go home and think of what they have heard, and in order to carry out their thoughts, they would refer to books and make experiments. By this means education would be promoted, and the character of our Society very much improved. All branches of science are so intimately connected, that a compound institution might be maintained by uniting several societies, and arranging the meetings so as to accommodate each in its turn. Mr. HORNCASTLE: I am happy that Mr. Bell has forestalled me in recommending a combination of different societies for the maintenance of a building of this sort. Those who know Birmingham know that all its scientific institutions have fallen to pieces, and the Philosophical having been dissolved, we have received notice to quit our room. Cannot we, in conjunction with other societies, contrive to support some institution worthy of such an important town? We, as Chemists and Druggists, seem especially the parties who ought to cultivate the science of Chemistry; for, as was pointed out by Mr. Bell in his first address, we ought to surpass the Medical men in our knowledge of chemistry. At present there is no school in Birmingham where anything like a good system of instruction in Chemistry is given. At Queen's College and Sydenham College the course is too short to be sufficient for those who would make it a principal study. A short time ago a laboratory was established by Professor Shaw, and he had about ten or twelve pupils, few of whom, however, were Chemists and Druggists. If we could subscribe together and establish a laboratory, so that the expenses of the building should be defrayed, I am sure that by appealing to the manufacturers of the town, and to the Associates of the Society for encouragement, we should be able to establish a class large enough to support a Professor. Mr. SOUTHALL: I hope Mr. Bell will not go away with the idea that this building is to be closed, as I believe we have the offer of still being accommodated in it. We cannot do so by ourselves, but if two or three other societies can unite in keeping it open, I think it may possibly be done. Mr. BIRD mentioned that the death of the late Curator had contributed greatly to the downfal of the Philosophical Institution. The CHAIRMAN: I hope the inspiriting remarks made upon the resolution will produce some real effect, and that in time the Committee will carry out what is recommended, so that the Birmingham branch of the Pharmaceutical Society will more than supply the place of the extinct Philosophical Institution. Mr. HORNCASTLE moved a resolution, directing that the resolutions now passed should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society in London; which having been seconded by Mr. HARVEY, was unanimously agreed to. On the motion of Mr. BLUNT, seconded by Mr. PICKERING, a resolution was passed, thanking Mr. Bell for his attendance. Mr. BELL, in responding to the compliment, said,-The best acknowledgment I could desire is the satisfaction of witnessing the success of the efforts now in progress for raising and establishing the professional character of the Pharmaceutists of this country; and it is especially gratifying to observe the symptoms of progress and co-operation manifested in the town of Birmingham, which much exceed even my most sanguine expectations. It is difficult to demonstrate clearly the individual benefit resulting from the collective exertions of a society of this description. However self-evident may be the proposition that education is of the highest importance, that knowledge is power, and that professional character is the best passport to public confidence and patronage, it is impossible to estimate in £ s. d. the precise return which each Member receives, or is likely to receive, for his subscription in support of such a society. But I have never attended a meeting in which, when the case was fairly stated, the opinion of all present was not unanimous as to the good effects which would result from the contemplated improvement in the qualifications of the Pharmaceutical Chemists of this kingdom; and I trust that, in the course of a few years, we shall be a very different body from what we now are. I have lately attended several meetings in county-towns on the subject, but this is the largest for the size of the town, and in many respects the most spirited one I have had the pleasure of attending. I only hope you will persevere, because that is the great difficulty. During the first introduction of a subject like this, a great deal of enthusiasm is often manifested, but in six months it sometimes begins to flag. I trust this will not be the case with you, but that Birmingham will be an example to all other large towns. When they hear of what you are doing, Liverpool and Manchester will strive not to be outdone; Bristol, Newcastle, and other places will be encouraged, and the influence may possibly extend even to York. After a few remarks from Mr. SOUTHALL, as to the benefit the public would derive from the measures they might adopt, a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman for the courtesy and ability with which he had presided, on the motion of Mr. BANKS, seconded by Mr. BIRD. In acknowledging the vote, the CHAIRMAN said, the best congratulation he could receive, was to see so large a meeting assembled at an hour which was to many very inconvenient; and he trusted those present would not allow the matter again to go to sleep. The proceedings then terminated. ORIGINAL AND EXTRACTED ARTICLES. NOTES UPON THE DRUGS OBSERVED AT ADEN, ARABIA. BY JAMES VAUGHAN, Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Assistant Surgeon in the Bombay Army, Civil and Port Surgeon at Aden, Arabia. Communicated by Daniel Hanbury. GUM ARABIC, Gummi acacia, known in Arabia and on the African coast by the name of Sumgh. The acacia which yields this gum is generally a small shrub of a dry and withered appearance; occasionally, however, it shoots out into a tree of from twenty to thirty feet high. The Somalis on the northeast coast of Africa collect the gum during the months of December and January. The process of obtaining it is extremely simple: long incisions are made in the stem and branches from which the juice flows, and when dry, is removed. After the gum of a district has been gathered, it is sewn up in goat-skins, and brought on camels to the great Berbera fair, or to some of the small settlements on the coast, and thence shipped for Aden and India. Three descriptions of the gum, styled severally, Felick, Zeila, and Berbera, are exported from the Somali coast. 1. Felick Gum is collected chiefly by the Magartain* Somalis and those who inhabit the district of Gardaf or Cape Gardafui. None of this quality, which is esteemed the best, finds its way to Aden; a little reaches Maculla and Shehr on the Arabian coast, but the mass is usually bought up by the Banians,† and shipped direct for India. The Gum Felick realises about twenty-five rupees‡ the hundredweight in the Bombay market. 2. Zeila Gum, so called from the port of that name, and 3. Berbera Gum, from the district of Berbera. The former of these is sold for fifteen, and the latter for thirteen rupees the hundredweight in the Bombay bazaar. The acacia is common throughout Yaman and Hadramaut, but the Arabs do not appear to appreciate the shrub, as but very little gum is collected by them. The gum forms, however, an important ingredient in the preparation of their writing-ink, to which it gives that glossy appearance so much admired in old Arabian manuscripts. They also use it occasionally as a demulcent and nutrient, and give it in the form of mucilage to invalids, as we do arrowroot, sago, &c. The Somalis resident at Aden occasionally go a short distance into the interior and gather small quantities, which they immediately sell in the bazaar. The natives on the south-east coast of Arabia between Aden and Maculla also collect a little, but of this scarcely any is exported. During the past year (1851) 250 tons of GumArabic passed through the Aden custom-house. The selling price here is from 2 to 3 rupees the maund of twenty-eight pounds. MYRRH.—This gum-resin, sometimes called Murr by the Arabs, but more commonly in this district by the Indian name of Heera Bôl, is collected in great quantities by the Somalis in the north-east part of Africa and in the neighbourhood of Hurrur further south. It is generally brought to the large fair held at Berbera, during the months of November, December and January, and is there bought up for the most part by the Banians of India, and paid for principally in piece goods: barter, indeed, is the system upon which most commercial transactions are carried on in that district. Occasionally, the articles obtained are carried thither direct; but more frequently they are first brought over to Aden, and thence shipped for Bombay. Within the last few months, small quantities of the best description of myrrh have been collected in a district forty Otherwise Meggertein, or Mijjertheyn.—D. H. + Hindoo merchants. miles to the east of Aden, and brought hither for sale.* This has been done by the Somalis; but there can be little doubt that as soon as the native Arabs become acquainted with this valuable product of their country, the trade therein will considerably increase. Four hundred and fifty hundredweights of myrrh passed through the Aden custom-house last year, some of which was taken to America by American vessels, but the greater part was shipped for Bombay. The selling price here is 9 rupees the maund of twenty-eight pounds.† BISSA BOL (Arabic), Hebbakhade of the Somalis.-This is the name of another gum-resin which is collected by the Somalis on the opposite coast and brought hither for sale or exportation. In appearance it resembles the myrrh already described; and the natives tell me that the tree from which it is obtained also resembles the Heera Bôl tree, but is nevertheless a distinct variety. I have not met with any description of this gum, and my impression is, that the tree which produces it, is yet unknown to Europeans. It is brought over with the myrrh and other gums by the Somalis, but does not appear to be very plentiful, as I find that only seventy maunds passed through the custom-house last year. Here it realises 2 rupees per maund, and is sent from Aden to India and China, where it is mixed with the food given to milch cows and buffaloes, for the purpose of increasing the quantity and improving the quality of the milk. It is also used as a size, and when mixed with lime, is said to impart a bright gloss to walls which are covered with it. I am not aware to what other purposes it may be applied; possibly it may possess other useful properties, with which the natives are unacquainted. So far as my information extends, none of this particular gum has yet found its way to Europe.‡ HOTAI هوتي is the name of a gum produced by a small thorny tree which grows in the Somali country about Bunder Murayeh. The tree or shrub is in appearance not unlike that which produces the myrrh, and attains the height of about six feet. The use of the gum, as far as I know at present, is confined to the Somalis themselves and more especially to the females, who consider it a good detersive for the hair, and almost the only one they know or ever use. When steeped in fresh water, it yields a slight lather.§ OLIBANUM, styled Lubân by the Arabs and by the Somalis on the opposite *This information which I give from personal knowledge, may serve to correct a statement made by Dr. Malcolmson and reproduced in Royle's Manual of Materia Medica, that "there is no myrrh produced in Arabia." And I am further of opinion, notwithstanding the late researches of Dr. Carter, who fixes the limit of the Libanophorous regions of Ptolemy to 52° 47' east longitude, and expresses his belief that the myrrh-tree does not exist there, that further investigation eastward from Aden will eventually substantiate the fact recorded by Theophrastus. in his Historia Plantarum, lib. ix., cap. 4, that the frankincense and myrrh-trees were seen growing together in Southern Arabia. † Specimens of two kinds of myrrh have been received from Mr. Vaughan. One, labelled Somali or African Myrrh, is the so-called Turkey Myrrh of commerce. The other, which is that produced forty miles to the eastward of Aden, a gum-resin distinctly different and, as the author suggests in another communication, doubtless the produce of some other tree than that affording common myrrh. It is in irregular pieces, varying in size from that of a walnut to less than that of a pea, not coated with dust like pieces of Turkey myrrh, but having a somewhat shining exterior. Each larger piece appears to be formed by the cohesion of a number of small, rounded, somewhat transparent, externally shining, tears or drops. The fracture much resembles that of common myrrh, but wants the semicircular whitish markings. In odour and taste it agrees closely with true myrrh. Portions of a semi-transparent, brown, papyraceous bark are occasionally attached to pieces of it. I have recently noticed a small quantity of this myrrh in the hands of a London drug-broker.-D. H. This substance, of which the author has forwarded a fine specimen, is usually regarded in England as a species of myrrh of inferior quality. It was formerly known as East Indian Myrrh, but is now seldom so distinguished. A package from Bombay has been offered in the London market during this year as Gum Bhesaboll. Bissa Bôl is the Myrrha Indica of Drs. J. and E. Martiny (Encyklopädie der Medicinisch-pharmaceutischen Naturalien und Rohwaarenkunde, band 2, p. 98), as I found by a comparison with specimens in the possession of Dr. Julius Martiny. It is quite distinct from Indian and African Bdellium.-D. H. § Gum Hotai, judging from the sample sent to England by the author, consists of irregular coast, where the tree affording it grows in great abundance. I believe that Olibanum is also known in Persia and in many parts of India under the name of Kundor and Koodricum, but not by the Arabs or Somalis. The Lubân tree is a native of the eastern coast of Africa, and flourishes on the high lands which intersect the whole of the Somali country, where I had an opportunity of seeing it in 1843, not far from Cape Gardafui. The hill-ranges on the eastern coast of Africa are composed entirely of white limestone, in some parts so compact as to resemble alabaster. This appears to be the soil most genial to the tree, and in no instance did I find it growing in sand or loam as has been supposed was the case. The tree is first met with a few miles inland from the coast, and at an altitude of about 300 feet above the level of the sea. Its appearance is strikingly singular, seeming at first sight to be destitute of roots, and clinging to the hard, uncreviced rock by masses of rhomboid and fantastically-shaped wood with the most obstinate adherence. The stem is, nearly at right angles with this substructure, ascending almost invariably in an upright direction, and attaining the height of from twelve to fifteen feet. At the base, the circumference is equal to that of a man's thigh, gradually tapering towards the top where it shoots off its branches and leaves. The wood is white, fibrous and somewhat soft; the bark, which is about half an inch in thickness, is of a light brown colour, very succulent and covered with a glossy cuticle. This usually bursts or cracks with the natural increment of the tree, and may then be removed in cutaneous flakes, when it presents an appearance not unlike that of prepared oil-paper, and something akin to a similar coating observable on the English birch. The old and decayed portions of the tree assume a cinereous hue, whereby they are easily distinguishable from the younger and more healthy plants. At the proper season, incisions are made in the stem, from which the juice flows forthwith in a copious stream (frequently covering the entire stem) until the wounds are closed by the desiccation of the fluid into a gum. In this state the trees glisten in their rich investiture; and, as if vexed at being prevented from pouring forth all their store, the bark distends from the abundance of sap within. After the juice is inspissated and dried by the action of the atmosphere and the sun, it is scraped off the trees and the ground beneath, and collected by the natives, who store it in large loose heaps at particular places on the sea-coast. It is then packed in sheep and goat-skins, each parcel weighing from about twenty-eight to forty pounds, and transported on camels to the great fair held in Berbera, from whence it is either sold and then shipped in native vessels for Aden and other ports on the Arabian coast, or exported to the same places for sale. Sometimes, however, it is purchased by the Banians, and sent directly to the Bombay market in baggalas.* The following are the different kinds of Lubân imported for sale into the Aden bazaar. لبان ميتي 1. Lubân Mattee, so called from Bunder Mattee the port from whence it comes. This gum is collected chiefly by the Abardagahala tribe of Somalis. The season for piercing the trees, from which it is procured, is during the north-east monsoon in the months of July and August. 2. Lubân Hunkur, or Aungure, from the country of Dour Ma pieces 13 to 1 inch in their longest diameter, frequently rounded on one side, as if portions of large tears, of entire smaller tears, and of angular little fragments produced by the fracture of the masses. It is of wax-like opacity, cracked in all directions, and readily breaking up into angular pieces. On the exterior, the larger pieces are yellowish, brownish, or somewhat liver-coloured, and occasionally incrusted on one side with a reddish sand, upon which they appear to have fallen when in a soft state. Internally, the colours are generally paler or nearly white, sometimes darker toward the centre of the tear. The gum is nearly inodorous, but in taste is slightly bitter and acrid to the throat. A few fragments agitated with water in a vial speedily afford an emulsion which remains frothy and milky for many days.-D. H. *Buggalow or Bugalow (?), an Arab ship employed in carrying on the trade between Bombay, the Malabar coast and the Persian and Arabian Gulfs.-D. H. |